LAHORE: The Punjab Information Commission (PIC) has initiated ex-parte proceedings against the Executive Engineer (XEN) of the Irrigation Department’s Fordwah Division, Bahawalnagar, for persistently failing to furnish public information sought under the Punjab Transparency and Right to Information Act, 2013. In its latest order dated March 12, 2026, issued in Complaint No. 5-1-2026-17 titled M. Saeed vs XEN Irrigation Fordwah Division Bahawalnagar, the commission observed that neither the respondent nor any representative of the public body appeared before it, nor was any response submitted to a previously issued show-cause notice.
Taking serious note of the continued non-compliance, the commission initiated ex-parte proceedings against the officer, Amas, and warned that in case of further absence, penalty would be imposed at the next hearing, subject to the record. The matter was adjourned till March 25, 2026. The order was signed by Chief Information Commissioner Muhammad Malik Bhulla.
The complaint stems from an RTI application filed on November 20, 2025, by Muhammad Saeed under Article 19-A of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to access information. The applicant had sought certified copies of repair and fuel bills and logbooks of government vehicles for the years 2023-24 and 2024-25; travelling allowance (TA) bills of officers and officials from 2018 to 2025; and copies of Form 27 relating to tenders awarded during 2023-24 and 2024-25, along with details of sales tax paid.
